Saint Francis Xavier

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Saint Francis Xavier
Feast Day December 03
Liturgical Class
Patronage Missionaries; Africa; China; Goa; India; Japan; foreign missions; navigators; plague patients
Birthplace Javier, Navarre, Kingdom of Spain
Death Place Shangchuan Island, Guangdong, Ming Empire (now China)
Cause of Death Natural causes
Primary Shrine Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, India

Saint Francis Xavier (Latin: Franciscus Xaverius; 7 April 1506 – 3 December 1552), also known as Francisco Javier, was a Navarrese-Basque Jesuit priest and missionary who co-founded the Society of Jesus and became one of the first Christian missionaries to Asia, evangelizing in India, Japan, and the Moluccas.[1] According to contemporary Jesuit letters and records, born in Javier Castle, Navarre, to a noble family, Francis studied at the University of Paris, where he met Ignatius of Loyola in 1529, joining the Jesuits in 1534 and being ordained in 1537.[2] Commissioned by King John III of Portugal, he arrived in Goa in 1542, baptizing thousands, establishing schools, and combating social ills, before missions to Malacca, the Moluccas, Japan (1549), and China, where he died on Shangchuan Island from fever while awaiting entry.

Beatified on 25 October 1619 by Pope Paul V and canonized on 12 March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV alongside Ignatius of Loyola, Francis is invoked as patron of missionaries and foreign missions for his tireless zeal, with his incorrupt right arm relic touring globally.[3] His feast day, December 3, is celebrated in the Roman Rite. While primary sources like his letters to Ignatius confirm his conversions (estimated 30,000 baptisms) and cultural adaptations, hagiographic traditions attribute miracles like resurrecting a crab or calming storms, which cannot be historically verified. Evidence from Goan archives and Japanese records supports his foundational role in Asian Christianity, positioning him as a model of cross-cultural evangelization.

Biography

Birth

Saint Francis Xavier was born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta on 7 April 1506 in Javier Castle, Navarre, Kingdom of Spain, the youngest son of Juan de Jasso, a privy councillor, and María de Azpilcueta y Aznárez.[4] Baptized in the family chapel, he grew up amid the Italian Wars' instability. Hagiographic tradition emphasizes a pious childhood, but this originates from later biographies.

Probabilistic inferences from Navarrese nobility suggest early education in humanities.

Early Life

Francis studied at the University of Paris from 1525, earning a master's in philosophy, where he roomed with Peter Faber and met Ignatius of Loyola in 1529.[5] Initially resistant, he joined the "Inigo's companions" by 1534, professing vows at Montmartre. Evidence from Jesuit foundational documents confirms his Montsorrate pilgrimage (1535) and ordination in Venice (1537).

His early life transitioned from ambition to spiritual companionship.

Occupation

Francis's initial occupation was academia, lecturing philosophy at Beauvais College, Paris.[6] As Jesuit, he focused on missions: arriving in Goa (1542), he catechized fisherfolk, founded colleges in Cochin and Malacca, and reached Japan (1549), learning Japanese for preaching. Historical letters detail his 100,000+ baptisms.

This work embodied Jesuit "to the ends of the earth."

Vocation

Francis's vocation as Asia's apostle, ignited by Ignatius's "What profits a man?" (1529), culminated in papal commissioning (1540).[7] Hagiographic tradition notes bilocation visions, unverifiable. His calling demanded cultural immersion.

It transformed him into the "Apostle of the Indies."

Death

Saint Francis met his end by natural causes on December 3, 1552, aged 46, from dysentery on Shangchuan Island while awaiting China entry.[8] Buried in Goa, his body incorrupt.

Significant events

  • Born in Javier Castle (7 April 1506).[9]
  • Met Ignatius of Loyola in Paris (1529).[9]
  • Professed vows at Montmartre (1534).[10]
  • Ordained in Venice (1537).[10]
  • Arrived in Goa for mission (6 May 1542).[10]
  • First Mass in Japan (1549).[10]
  • Died on Shangchuan Island (3 December 1552).[10]
  • Beatified by Pope Paul V (25 October 1619).[10]
  • Canonized by Pope Gregory XV (12 March 1622).[10]

Significant locations

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Legend

  • Birth location icon Birth location: Javier, Navarre, Kingdom of Spain
  • Death location icon Death location: Shangchuan Island, Guangdong, Ming Empire (now China)
  • Notable location 1 icon Notable location: Basilica of Bom Jesus (relics and primary shrine) (Old Goa, Goa 403 402, India)
  • Notable location 2 icon Notable location: Replica of Porziuncola chapel (missionary devotion) (Porziuncola Nuova, San Francisco, California 94133, United States)
  • Notable location 3 icon Notable location: Shrine dedicated to his Franciscan roots (National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, 600 Vallejo St, San Francisco, California 94133, United States)
  • Notable location 4 icon Notable location: Site of his missionary work (St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Malacca, Malaysia)
  • Notable location 5 icon Notable location: Ruins of St. Paul's (missionary legacy) (Shrine of St. Francis Xavier, Macao, China)

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Saint Francis Xavier
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Shrines

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List of shrines

Basilica of Bom Jesus
  • 17th-century basilica enshrining Xavier's incorrupt body since 1637, designated a UNESCO site and pilgrimage basilica under Canon 1230 by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman for missionary devotions and relic veneration, serving as a center for prayer, sacraments, and annual December 3 feasts with processions drawing millions.
  • Pilgrimage details: Old Goa, Goa 403 402, India; founded 1594, body 1637; features silver casket, plenary indulgences on feast; Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
  • Facts: "Body exhumed incorrupt in 1553; Goa's most visited site."
Porziuncola Nuova
  • Replica of Assisi's Porziuncola in San Francisco, designated under Canon 1230 by the Archdiocese of San Francisco for Franciscan-Jesuit pilgrimages honoring Xavier's Loyola ties, offering Masses and retreats.
  • Pilgrimage details: San Francisco, California 94133, United States; founded 1924; December events; Archdiocese of San Francisco.
  • Facts: "Xavier's Loyola connection; California mission echo."
National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi
  • Historic shrine in San Francisco's North Beach, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage site by the Archdiocese of San Francisco for Xavier's Franciscan roots devotions, with chapel and annual feasts.
  • Pilgrimage details: 600 Vallejo St, San Francisco, California 94133, United States; founded 1920s; November 26 liturgies; Archdiocese of San Francisco.
  • Facts: "Ties to California missions Xavier inspired."
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Malacca
  • Portuguese-era cathedral on his mission site, designated under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Malacca-Johor for Southeast Asian pilgrimages and relic expositions.
  • Pilgrimage details: Jalan Kota Laksamana, Malacca, Malaysia; 16th century; December feasts; Diocese of Malacca-Johor.
  • Facts: "Xavier preached here 1545; colonial heritage."
Ruins of St. Paul's, Macao
  • 17th-century church ruins with Xavier statue, serving as a UNESCO site and devotional shrine under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Macau for his China mission legacy.
  • Pilgrimage details: Rua de São Paulo, Macao, China; founded 1602; annual commemorations; Diocese of Macau.
  • Facts: "Near where Xavier died; facade with saints."

Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Francis Xavier as a Servant of God began shortly after his death in 1552, with initial investigation conducted in Goa by the Portuguese Inquisition.

Venerable

Declared Venerable through popular cult and reported miracles by 1605 for his life of heroic virtue in missionary zeal.

Beatification

Beatified on 25 October 1619 by Pope Paul V after confirmation of miracles attributed to his intercession, allowing limited veneration.

Canonization

Canonized on 12 March 1622 by Pope Gregory XV following verification of additional miracles, extending universal veneration to the Church.

Miracles

Saints like Francis Xavier are recognized for extraordinary intercessions, often healings and protections during missions. These events, from Jesuit records, became milestones in his cause. Four principal miracles were authenticated for canonization.

Miracle for beatification

Healings and deliverances attributed to his intercession were verified for 1619 beatification, including protections for sailors.

Miracle for canonization

1. A boy bitten by a poisonous snake in Goa was healed after Xavier's relics were applied, with the wound vanishing instantly. 2. A child drowned in India was revived upon Xavier's invocation by his nurse. 3. A young man and maid lost at sea in the Moluccas were miraculously saved, washing ashore unharmed after prayers to Xavier. These were authenticated in 1622, confirming his sanctity.

Other notable miracles

  • Resurrection of a crab that stole his crucifix, returning it unharmed.[9]
  • Calming storms off Japan through cross blessing.[10]

Patronage

Saint Francis Xavier is the patron saint of missionaries, Africa, China, Goa, India, Japan, foreign missions, navigators, and plague patients.

Feast day

December 03

Veneration

Saint Francis Xavier is venerated through mission novenas, relic tours, and pilgrimages to Goa. Relics are kept at Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa. Saint Francis Xavier has been depicted in numerous artworks, including Rubens's paintings. Literature and media often portray Saint Francis Xavier in Jesuit histories. Relics and shrines dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing cultural or religious events such as Goa's feast processions.

Books

Written about the saint

Written by the saint

External links

References

  1. ↑ "St. Francis Xavier". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=423. 
  2. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Francis Xavier". https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06233b.htm. 
  3. ↑ "Saint Francis Xavier". https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-francis-xavier/. 
  4. ↑ "St. Francis Xavier". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=423. 
  5. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Francis Xavier". https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06233b.htm. 
  6. ↑ "Saint Francis Xavier". https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-francis-xavier/. 
  7. ↑ "St. Francis Xavier". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=423. 
  8. ↑ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Francis Xavier". https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06233b.htm. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "St. Francis Xavier". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=423. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named newadvent
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